Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A boxing event billed as a way to give young people in Rochester positive alternatives to violence is now facing serious financial trouble, with organizers saying the show has a shortfall of more than $100,000 after falling well below expected paid attendance.
Uniting and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County hosted the “Boxing Extravaganza” at the Blue Cross Arena April 25 in partnership with Savage Life Promotions.
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J. Russell Peltz, a manager for three of the fighters, including headliner Bryce Mills, said they are still waiting to be paid.
“I’ve been in touch now with about 11 of the 16 fighters, and none of them got paid,” Peltz said.
Peltz said initially asked organizers to pay Mills $30,000, but wanted $5,000 up-front. He said his request for the money up-front was denied, but organizers agreed to the $30,000 paycheck.
Peltz said after the event, he received calls from other participants who said the bank would not accept checks they received from promoters. He said Mills then tried to deposit a $30,000 check that did not clear.
“You’ve got to feel for these kids who train six or seven weeks for this fight, kids with no jobs or low-paying jobs,” Peltz said. “I just don’t know how you can do that.”
On Thursday, organizers addressed the shortfall and apologized to fighters for what they called “delayed payments.”
“Every fighter will be paid,” said Derick Gramling of Savage Life Promotions. “Every penny that they deserve, they will be paid 110%. That never, ever was a thing. I would like the community to know, because I think there is misconstruing that we scammed or fraud. No, actually, we spent over $50,000. I lost my gym in the process.”
Gramling said the checks given to fighters were real and that everything has to be “reissued.”
Blue Cross Arena’s Executive Director Colin Holman said the venue is still owed about $20,000. Holman said a “payment plan is in place” and they have been in touch with Harris and Gramling.
Organizers are now asking the community for donations to help cover losses.
“We’ve already spent tens of thousands to help Rochester and our young and our youth, and it’s very difficult for us now to muster that amount,” Harris said.
Peltz said fighters are waiting for updates.
“Listen, I hope they come up with the money somehow,” Peltz said.
The New York State Athletic Commission released a statement on Thursday,
The New York State Athletic Commission has taken appropriate regulatory action in this matter, including the suspension of the promoter’s license and referral to the appropriate authorities. Because this matter is now the subject of an active investigation, the Department does not have any further comment at this time.